Dancing with a handsome man

"It's a what?!"

"A masquerade party," Aera replied. "We don't have a lot of time to find you an appropriate dress but I know someone who can handle such a problem!"

"Are you sure?!"

"Quite. Have you heard of Water Lily and co?"

"No." Ji-ho was having doubts about the whole thing now. How could she, in a few hours, possibly find a dress that would fit her perfectly?

"They are the largest supplier of costumes in the industry. Whether it's eastern or western, traditional or modern, they have many pieces for every period. Don't worry, Ji-ho, I haven't picked a dress either because I wasn't expecting to attend the party. We'll find our dresses together. I promise it'll be fun."

"I'll trust your judgement then, Aera."

"Good! I'll come to pick you up right now."

_________

Choi Dan-Bi had rented an entire island for her birthday bash. The actress was rich off her acting career but she had very wealthy parents and thus was able to finance a birthday party that was so over the top even for a celebrity of her status.

The island was lit up with torches powdered by electricity but designed to appear like fire. Lines of elegant looking tents were spread out so that they looked like a western medieval fair. Tarot card readers, fire breathers, jesters, knife jugglers, and all kinds of entertainment were available at the party.

Ji-ho stepped down from a yacht with Aera and was blinded by a column of white fire at the shore.

"She's really done it this year, eh?" Aera said to her.

"No idea," Ji-ho replied. "This is my first time attending a party thrown by Dan-Bi."

Ji-ho was wearing a gown inspired by the Queen of the night from 'The magic flute,' an opera by Mozart. She couldn't help but pick the gown because it reminded her of the days she'd spent with her mother, watching and performing opera. The dress was a magical looking ensemble in shimmery silver and the dark blue of twilight. It had a sweetheart neckline and tapered down to a narrow bodice at her slim waist. Her favourite part of the gown though were the soft layers of transparent ruffles that made up her sleeves. The look was completed with a silver mask feathered in blue and decorated with periwinkle blue glitter over the eyes.

She looked stunning, and Aera, in her gold goddess gown, had taken several pictures of her. Ji-ho had of course uploaded a picture of her and Aera's mask onto Koka with a winking caption. If Blue had an invitation, she was sure he would arrive. Stalkers were predictable like that.

"Seung-ho!" Aera called out to her brother while waving with her tasselled fan. The actor as per usual cut a gorgeous figure in his elegant phantom of the opera dress suit. He was in the company of the birthday girl herself, Choi Dan-Bi who looked otherworldly in her fairy dress.

"Aera! I was expecting you earlier," Choi Dan-bi told her as she wrapped her hands around Aera's arm. Ji-ho was completely ignored by the birthday girl who didn't even acknowledge her presence.

"I know I'm late," Aera conceded with a smile. "By the way, this is Sun Young-mi, my plus one for tonight."

The beautiful Dan-bi finally looked at Ji-ho but her smile was perfunctory. Sun Young-mi just wasn't the type of celebrity that Dan-bi would consider befriending. She thought of her as a cheap celebrity who was only popular because she courted the limelight with her scandals. Dan-bi couldn't understand why the siblings were keeping the company of such a C grade celebrity.

"What did you get for me, Aera?" Dan-bi asked, changing the topic after her brief smile at Young-mi. The slight was noticed by the siblings but today was Dan-bi's birthday and they couldn't be rude to her. Nevertheless, Seung-ho came to stand beside Ji-ho while his sister and the birthday girl talked.

"Miss Sun, can I get you something to drink?" He asked her. Despite his attempt at soundly friendly, Seung-ho was imposing in his demeanour. The prince like royal aura hung off every word he spoke.

"You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Young-mi," Ji-ho replied. "And yeah, I'd be grateful if you could sneak me a glass of wine."

"You're underage."

"So?" Ji-ho lifted her brows at the handsome face that was regarding her. "Somewhere in another country, I'm old enough to drink alcohol. Don't tell me you waited till you turned nineteen to drink."

"I did," Seung-ho replied. And he smiled, causing Ji-ho's heart to stutter in surprise.

"Well, I'm turning nineteen next year! It's not that far off," she bluffed. Sun Young-mi was turning eighteen next month so it wasn't a lie.

Seung-ho appeared hesitant but Ji-ho couldn't be denied. "Just imagine that you're handing me a glass of hand sanitizer, yes? You can do that, I'm sure."

"Sun Young-mi," a voice called to her interrupting what Seung-ho was going to say.

Ji-ho's heart leapt into her throat because she knew who it was. The young woman unconsciously stepped closer to Seung-ho even as she turned to face Blue and Iris. The couple from hell had arrived. She wanted revenge but she also wanted to get away from them as fast as she could.

"You look ravishing," Blue complimented her. Just like his name, he wore a deep blue suit styled in baroque fashion. Iris though wore an elegant queen of the hearts dress. Her pink hair was covered in a red wig with two buns on the sides of her head.

"Blue, and Iris," Ji-ho acknowledged them with a shallow nod. Behind her, Seung-ho had taken notice of how withdrawn she suddenly became.

"Congratulations, Jessica," Iris smiled at her but it was strained. "Producer Lee really likes you. He hasn't taken anyone under his wing in two years. So I wonder, what have you done to convince him to sign you?"

"I sang, Iris," Ji-ho coolly replied. "And he loved it. You should watch my live sessions. Your boyfriend certainly likes them enough to go as far as sending roses to me at the studio." Was she trying to provoke a fight between them? Yes. Yes. And yes. Iris had begun dating Blue before he had broken up with Jessica. Now she could have a taste of her own medicine. "But I could be mistaken. It could have been a fan of his that sent me those gifts." Her gaze drifted to Blue whose lips were curved under his mask as if he wasn't bothered by what Sun young-mi was implying.

Iris was visibly affected by what she was hearing. She stared at Ji-ho like she wanted to stab her. Scoffing at her words, Iris rolled her eyes at Young-mi. "My boyfriend and I were together all day. So whoever it was that gifted you, it certainly wasn't my man, Jessica." Iris put a possessive arm around Blue. "I know what you're trying to do. He is mine."

Ji-ho let out a burst of laughter at that. Her pink lips wore a wide amused smile as she replied to the popstar's accusation. "One girl's treasure is another's trash, Iris. Keep your man. I have my own."

Blue was not amused by being compared to trash. He squeezed Iris' arm painfully and she went quiet.

"Young-mi, are you seeing someone?" He asked her.

"That's nobody's business." Ji-ho managed to sound haughty and annoyed at the same time.

"Lee Tae-Hyun?" Blue ventured.

"Young-mi promised me a dance," Seung-ho suddenly interrupted. "Excuse us." His half masked face was impassive and handsome as he looked away from Blue to gauge Young-mi's reaction.

Her eyes twinkled with approval and it was all the encouragement he needed to delicately grasp her hand in his.

____

"Thank you," Ji-ho smiled up at Seung-ho. He had one hand on her waist and another holding her hand as they swayed to a waltz.

"The pleasure is mine. I could hardly continue to stand there and do nothing while they troubled you, Young-mi."

"Aish~ what a gentleman," she teased him. "This aunty- ah I mean, I'm happy that you were around to get me away from them. Next time you find yourself stuck with a sticky person, call me and I'll return this favour."

As they coversed, Dan-bi watched from a distance, a smile pasted on her face and anger smothering her chest. She was in love with her co-star, Seung-ho, but the actor had been perfunctorily friendly with her. Dan-bi tolerated it because she hadn't heard of Seung-ho being interested in anyone. But seeing him dance with Sun Young-mi was a splash of ice-cold water. There was no way she was going to let this go without humiliating Sun Young-mi tonight.